Sebelius: Hey, some of you may pay more for insurance

posted at 10:06 am on December 17, 2013 by Ed Morrissey

Is this backtracking, or just a little CYA via weasel-word play? Daniel Halper writes that Kathleen Sebelius “admitted” that people will pay more for their health insurance under ObamaCare, and Bay 9 News leads the story the same way while covering the HHS Secretary’s meeting with Miami residents. But even now, when the skyrocketing prices are obvious (and the large deductibles only somewhat less so), Sebelius is still hedging that bet with conditionals, while promising that the premium hikes signify that the plans will be totally awesome in comparison to what they had before:

“More back tracking now from the Obama administration admitting that some Americans will pay more for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act,” said the Florida news anchor. “During a visit to during a visit to Miami, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stopped at a local library to talk to local residents about enrolling on the health insurance website. She also acknowledged that some people will pay higher premiums under Obamacare.”

Said Sebelius, “There are some individuals who may be looking at increases. I think you cannot make a statement based on cost unless you compare what they had to what they’re going into.”

Blowback

Trackbacks/Pings

Comments

“Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and seven other Democrats have proposed legislation that would eliminate the possibility of imposing the death penalty for a range of federal offenses, including several categories of murder and crimes against the government like treason and espionage.”

If passed, Democrats can let their hair down a little and be themselves, especially at HHS.

She has told so many lies and changed the story so many times that I don’t think that she even knows what the truth is. She will be thrown under the bus, Obama is just waiting for when he is attacked so bad that he needs a major diversion.

“Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and seven other Democrats have proposed legislation that would eliminate the possibility of imposing the death penalty for a range of federal offenses, including several categories of murder and crimes against the government like treason and espionage.”

If passed, Democrats can let their hair down a little and be themselves, especially at HHS.

Akzed on December 17, 2013 at 10:07 AM

Rep. Donna Edwards is working to head-off what’s ahead for many Democrats…for “crimes against the government like treason and espionage.”

“…crimes against the government” mean crimes against all and each of us as citizens. One doesn’t have to look too far today to identify such crimes by Obama’s Crew, particularly.

does anybody have a number of those who will pay less for their insurance? I’m thinking of those that were already paying for insurance none of them will see a reduction of any kind.

DanMan on December 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM

The only people that benefit from Obamacare are the parasites who get “subsidies” which are really nothing more than a wealth redistribution mechanism that forces somebody else pay for for the parasites. The productive get screwed in every aspect of Obamacare.

“A group of Catholic health and educational organizations don’t have to comply with a federal Affordable Care Act requirement to provide their employees with contraception coverage, a federal judge in New York ruled.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn today barred the government from enforcing the mandate against Catholic Health Care System, Catholic Health Services of Long Island, Cardinal Spellman High School and Monsignor Farrell High School.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and the health and educational groups challenged the mandate on religious freedom grounds. After the U.S. issued a rule exempting the archdiocese, schools and health-care affiliates were still subject to the law, which takes effect Jan. 1.

The groups “have demonstrated that the mandate, despite accommodation, compels them to perform acts that are contrary to their religion,” Cogan wrote. “And there can be no doubt that the coercive pressure here is substantial.”

Groups that don’t comply with the mandate are subject to fines of $100 a day per affected beneficiary, Cogan said.

Catholic Health Services of Long Island, the largest of the groups, oversees six hospitals, three nursing homes and a hospice service and has a health plan covering almost 25,000 people.

The case is Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York v. Sebelius, 12-cv-2542, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn)….”

She has told so many lies and changed the story so many times that I don’t think that she even knows what the truth is. She will be thrown under the bus, Obama is just waiting for when he is attacked so bad that he needs a major diversion.

DAT60A3 on December 17, 2013 at 10:11 AM

She’s not lying. Some people will pay more for insurance. Some will not be able to afford insurance so they won’t be paying more. And there are those who will die…they certainly won’t be paying more for insurance. See how that works?

The real problem here is what you are actually getting with that insurance premium. I have an HMO ($460/month my portion) through my employer. I was bitten by a rattlesnake a few years ago (don’t ask) The hospital stay of 15 hours, including antivenom and cardiac ICU came to approximately $35k. I paid $100 total.

I’ve done some calculations and I figure with a premium of $1200 per month, a $7500 deductible and the percentage I’m still responsible for after deductible…. I would have paid $32900 that year instead of the $5620.

A judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia refused to dismiss Halbig v. Sebelius, a major challenge to Obamacare, on Tuesday.

The lawsuit, filed by a number of small business owners in six states, challenges an IRS regulation that would apply the employer mandate tax penalty ($2,000 per employee per year) even in states that refuse to set up Obamacare exchanges.

Does anyone here really think that the Republicans are going to come to power and fix this? Does anyone here really think that if the Republicans came to power they wold relinquish one iota of Federal power? Do any of you really believe Ted Cruz in gleaming armor is coming in on a white charger to slay the Liberal dragon?

All the talk about “substandard” and “junk” policies is BS. The insurance sector is one of the most regulated industries in the nation. State Insurance Commissions have been regulating the companies for decades. These so-called “substandard” and “junk
policies have all been approved by their respective State Insurance Commissions. Who the he!! does the federal government think it is that they know more than those actually regulating the insurance companies?

The talk about “substandard” and “junk” policies is simply a diversion. Consumers are seeing premiums, deductables, and co-pays go up, so the regime is trying to convince them that their old policies were deficient. Doesn’t matter than many don’t need maternity care or some of the other wonderful features of the more expensive plans. The all knowing, all powerful federal government knows what’s best for you./

“Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), an Obamacare critic, has signed up for health insurance on the District of Columbia exchange, and he’s accepted a $10,000 taxpayer subsidy to defray the cost of his family’s health insurance.

“It’s an employer contribution,” Rubio was quoted as saying on Monday. “It’s available to every employee of the federal government.”

But as CNSNews.com has reported, some members of Congress are refusing the subsidy, saying it’s not right for them to get a perk that is unavailable to many Americans in the private sector.

Under a deal arranged by the federal Office of Personnel Management in August, members of Congress — who earn at least $174,000 — will be able to keep the approximate $10,000 subsidy that they received under their previous federal health care plan. But the same deal is not available to Americans in the private sector.

For example, Americans in the private sector who buy health insurance through the Obamacare exchanges get a federal subsidy (a tax credit) only if their income/family size puts them below 400% of the poverty threshold, or $94,200 for a family of four. If they surpass that 400% level, they do not get a subsidy.

Asked why he didn’t follow the lead of others who voluntarily gave up the perk, Rubio said: “Well, again, I’m going to comply with the laws the way they’re written right now. If they’re prepared to change the law for everyone, I’ll vote for that.”

In accepting the subsidy, Rubio joins Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who told CNSNews.com there’s “no question” that members of Congress are entitled to taxpayer help in purchasing their health insurance. Rangel said he considers the subsidies to be part of Congress’ “overall compensation.”

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) recently told C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” that as a member of Congress, he’ll be forced to get his own insurance through the Obamacare exchanges, and he thinks taxpayers should continue helping him pay his premiums.”

Those rejecting the taxpayer subsidy include Rep. Louis Gohmert: “It’s not right,” Gohmert told CNSNews.com. “I appreciated getting the subsidy as every other federal employee, but when America has had their insurances ripped away from them, when they have had their employer contribution ripped away, I can’t take a subsidy under those circumstances.”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said he will sign up for Obamacare through the exchange in Ohio, where he will not be eligible for a subsidy. “Each member can make their own decision on this, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to take the employer subsidies, so I’m just going to opt out — not opt out, but I’m going to do it back in Ohio versus going through the D.C. shop and then having to write a check back to the Treasury each month.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), in a message on his website, said he also will enroll in his state exchange and forego the taxpayer-funded subsidy: “I don’t think Members of Congress should get a special deal,” said Graham. “Obamacare is being pushed on the American people and we should live under it just like everyone else.”

does anybody have a number of those who will pay less for their insurance?

Come on…you know damn well that if there was even ONE soul in existence that has actually had their insurance rates decline by any friggin amount, the WH would be showing that guy off like a rock star. Just one, mind you….

That’s a good drill Ditkaca, everyone should do it if they can. I worked the numbers on my wifes knee replacement last year, My out of pocket would have been about 3X under next years plan. Serious money. Alas, few will make the calculations (although at this point not much can be done about it anyway). I fully expect genuine outrage by early next year, as people are faced with the true costs, not just the premiums. Even those with subsidized premiums that actually NEED healthcare will start getting the bills. That “bronze” plan? almost pure cost if you take away a “Checkup”, in fact even if you toss in “Free” contraceptives.

We are witnessing the ‘Enronization’ of the US Healthcare industry…a massive fraud being perpetrated on the American people by Barack Obama, Kathleen Sebelius, and the other progressive-fascists who rammed this seizure of 1/6th of the national economy through in the name of power, control, and wealth redistribution.

The lies aren’t stopping, in fact, as the Administration grows more desperate, they are increasing in mendacity and frequency. Each day, this Administration clearly demonstrates their contempt towards the American people – a people whom they know are too ‘effin’ stupid to make up their own minds or make proper decisions.

“Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), an Obamacare critic, has signed up for health insurance on the District of Columbia exchange, and he’s accepted a $10,000 taxpayer subsidy to defray the cost of his family’s health insurance.

“It’s an employer contribution,” Rubio was quoted as saying on Monday. “It’s available to every employee of the federal government.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), in a message on his website, said he also will enroll in his state exchange and forego the taxpayer-funded subsidy: “I don’t think Members of Congress should get a special deal,” said Graham. “Obamacare is being pushed on the American people and we should live under it just like everyone else.”

Come on…you know damn well that if there was even ONE soul in existence that has actually had their insurance rates decline by any friggin amount, the WH would be showing that guy off like a rock star. Just one, mind you….

Renee on December 17, 2013 at 11:02 AM

I’m not so sure about that Renee, consider this: Every time they parade around a “winner”, it will just infuriate those of us paying more. I’m not so sure that bringing attention to costs would be a good strategy for the liars.

This administration doesn’t give a rat’s backside about the people. It’s only concern is stealing enough money from them to pay for all of Obama’s parasitic constituents. Thank you enlightened voters your really stuck it to us this time.

I’m thinking that paying the penalty and either finding other non-compliant insurance coverage or self-insuring is the way to go. I am not going to sign up for this crap. If I’ve got to pay more, I’ll pay more without going through the government. Why on earth would I walk into a trap to give up personal info to these bozos?

Try “Everyone not on Medicare or Medicaid, or getting a subsidy, is going to have to pay (themselves or their employer) a whole lot more for Obamacare with the same deductibles and co-pays. Or suffer a lot higher co-pays and deductibles.”

does anybody have a number of those who will pay less for their insurance? I’m thinking of those that were already paying for insurance none of them will see a reduction of any kind.

DanMan on December 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM

In the analyses that Avik Roy has been doing for Forbes, it was predicted that a few states that already had a highly-regulated insurance market would see a decline in rates.
I haven’t seen anything lately about all these “winners” though.

I think a see a new narrative here, with Sebelius and some other administration hack I saw yesterday:

They are staying *some* will pay more, and *some* are losing access to doctors, etc, but *most* people are really happy with the exchanges and Obamacare.

I think the administration wants people to believe that if they feel like they’ve gotten a bad deal, that they are in the minority. Of course, its nothing like – the average person is paying more for less – less access and less control.